Description
A delicious and hearty Chickpea Gyros recipe that features spiced and sautéed chickpeas served in warm pita bread with fresh veggies, creamy tzatziki sauce, and optional hummus and feta cheese. This vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired dish is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
For the Chickpeas
- 2 15.5-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
For the Tzatziki
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ of one medium cucumber, peeled, grated, and drained
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- ½ tablespoon fresh dill, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
For the Veggies
- ½ cup halved grape tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced, quartered cucumber
- ¼ of one medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
For Serving
- ½ cup hummus, store-bought or homemade (optional)
- Pitas
- Feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpeas: Drain and thoroughly dry the chickpeas. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chickpeas and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to turn slightly brown. Sprinkle smoked paprika, oregano, ground cumin, and salt over chickpeas, then continue cooking, stirring every 30 seconds until the spices are fully mixed in and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make the Tzatziki: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and salt. Mix well and refrigerate or set aside until ready to use.
- Prepare the Veggies: In a bowl, mix together halved grape tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, olive oil, and salt. Toss gently and set aside.
- Assemble the Gyros: Warm the pita bread. Spread a layer of hummus in the center of each pita to help hold the chickpeas. Top with the cooked spiced chickpeas, followed by the mixed veggies, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, and crumble feta cheese on top if using.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while warm. For a vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based alternative and omit or replace feta cheese with vegan feta.
Notes
- Ensure chickpeas are well dried before cooking to achieve a better texture when sautéed.
- You can prepare the tzatziki and veggies ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- Adjust the salt and spices according to your taste preference.
- For a vegan option, use vegan yogurt and vegan feta cheese or omit cheese entirely.
- Hummus is optional but adds a creamy texture and flavor that complements the gyros perfectly.
